The best Amex card in Canada depends on how you spend.
For most people, the Cobalt Card is the strongest everyday rewards card. Platinum is the premium travel pick, Aeroplan Reserve is best for frequent Air Canada flyers, Marriott Bonvoy is best for hotel stays, and Green is the simplest no-fee entry point into Membership Rewards.
Compare the best American Express cards in Canada for 2026 and find the right Amex for your spending, travel goals, and rewards strategy:
Best Overall: Amex Cobalt Card
The American Express Cobalt Card is the best starting point for most Canadians because it combines strong everyday earning rates with flexible Membership Rewards points. If you spend regularly on groceries, restaurants, food delivery, gas, transit, or streaming, this is the Amex card most likely to keep delivering value after the welcome bonus is gone.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 15,000 (1,250 per month) Membership Reward points when you spend $750 monthly for 12 months.
Annual Fee: $15.99/month. $15.99/month - equals $191.88/year.
Quebec residents are billed $191.88 annually.
Best For: Membership Rewards Credit Cards
Key Multiplier: 5x on Food and Drinks
Best Affordable Travel Rewards Card: Amex Gold Rewards Card
The American Express Gold Rewards Card is the middle-ground travel card in the Amex lineup. It does not have the premium perks of the Platinum Card or the everyday earning power of the Cobalt Card, but it can make sense if you want Membership Rewards points, travel benefits, and a lower annual fee than Platinum.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 (5,000 per month) Membership Reward points when you spend $1,000 monthly for 12 months.
Annual Fee: $250
Best For: Membership Rewards
Key Multiplier: 2x on Travel
Best Premium Travel Card: Amex Platinum Card
The Platinum Card is the best Amex in Canada for premium travel perks, especially when the welcome bonus is elevated. The annual fee is high, so this card only makes sense if you will actually use the travel credits, dining credit, lounge access, hotel benefits, and premium insurance.
Welcome Bonus: Experience Amex’s best offer this year.
You can earn up to 170,000 Membership Rewards points:
90,000 points after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months.
Plus 40,000 points after you spend a total of $45,000 on your Card in your first 12 months of cardmembership.
You can also earn 40,000 points when you make a purchase between months 15 and 17 of cardmembership.
Offer ends July 28, 2026.
Annual Fee: $799
Best For: Premium Travel Cards
Key Multiplier: 2x on Food and Drinks
Best Air Canada Card: Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is the strongest Amex option for frequent Air Canada flyers. It is not the cheapest way to earn Aeroplan points, but the premium Air Canada benefits, Maple Leaf Lounge access, and strong limited-time welcome bonus can make it worthwhile if you fly Air Canada often.
Welcome Bonus: You can earn up to 150,000 Aeroplan points:
70,000 points after spending $7,500 in the first 3 months.
Plus 40,000 points after spending a total of $45,000 on your card in your first 12 months of cardmembership.
You can also earn 40,000 points when you make a purchase between 15 and 17 months of cardmembership.
Offer ends July 28, 2026.
Annual Fee: $599
Best For: Aeroplan Premium Credit Cards
Key Multiplier: 3x on Air Canada
Best Business Card: Amex Business Gold Rewards Card
The American Express Business Gold Rewards Card is the practical business pick if you want flexible Membership Rewards points without jumping to the higher annual fee on the Business Platinum Card. It works best for business owners who want a strong welcome bonus and useful rewards, but do not need premium lounge access or luxury travel perks.
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 70,000 points. Earn 50,000 Membership Reward points when you spend $7,500 in the first 3 months. Then earn 20,000 points when you spend $30,000 in months 1-12 of Cardmembership.
Annual Fee: $199
Best For: Business Cards
Key Multiplier: Earn 10,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you charge $20,000 in net purchases to your Card account in a calendar quarter, up to 40,000 points annually.
Best Hotel Card: Amex Marriott Bonvoy Card
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is one of the easiest Amex cards to justify if you stay with Marriott even occasionally. The annual Free Night Award can offset the annual fee on its own, while the welcome bonus and ongoing Marriott Bonvoy earning add more value for hotel-focused travellers.
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 110,000 points. Earn 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months. Then earn 30,000 points when you make a purchase in months 15 of Cardmembership.
Annual Fee: $120
Best For: Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
Key Multiplier: 5x on Marriott Bonvoy Hotels
Best No-Fee Card: Amex Green Card
The American Express Green Card is the simplest no-fee way to earn Membership Rewards points in Canada. It does not have the strongest earn rates or premium perks, but it can be useful if you want a no-fee Amex card to keep open long term.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 10,000 Membership Reward points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.
Annual Fee: $0
Best For: No Annual Fee Credit Cards
Key Multiplier: 2x on Amex Travel
Best Cash Back Card: Amex SimplyCash Preferred Card
The SimplyCash Preferred Card is the better fit if you want cash back instead of travel rewards. It is especially useful for people who spend regularly on gas and groceries, but do not want to manage points, transfer partners, or award redemptions.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 10% cash back on purchases when you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months. Then earn a $50 statement credit when you make a purchase in month 13 of cardmembership.
Annual Fee: $119.88
Best For: Cashback Cards
Key Multiplier: 4% cash back on Gas
Before You Apply: Check the Bonus History
Welcome bonuses change throughout the year.
Some Amex cards swing by 50,000+ points between lower offers and limited-time highs. Others stay fairly consistent for years.
Before applying, check how today’s offer compares to previous offers, historical highs, and typical bonus ranges in our full Amex Welcome Bonus Tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Amex card in Canada?
For most Canadians, the American Express Cobalt Card is the best Amex card because it earns strong rewards on groceries, restaurants, food delivery, streaming, gas, transit, and everyday spending. However, the best card depends on your goals: Platinum is better for premium travel, Aeroplan Reserve is better for frequent Air Canada flyers, Marriott Bonvoy is better for hotel stays, and Green is better if you want no annual fee.
Is Amex worth it in Canada?
American Express is worth it when your spending matches the earn categories and you actually use the benefits.
For most Canadians, that means concentrating on food and everyday spend with a high-earning card like Cobalt and redeeming strategically for travel.
If you want a deeper breakdown of acceptance, fees, approval odds, and who Amex does not make sense for, read our full guide:
Is American Express Worth It in Canada?
New to Amex? Read our guide on how American Express works in Canada before choosing a card. Then start with our complete guide to how Membership Rewards work in Canada.
Which Amex card has the highest welcome bonus in Canada?
Premium cards like Platinum, Business Platinum, and Aeroplan Reserve frequently advertise the highest “up to” welcome bonuses in Canada.
However, the best bonus isn’t just the biggest number – it’s the one you can realistically earn and that justifies the annual fee.
Before applying, compare today’s offer against its historical highs, lows, and averages in our full Welcome Bonus History Guide:
Every Amex Canada Welcome Bonus Since 2019
Can you hold multiple Amex cards?
Yes. Many Canadians carry two Amex cards to optimize rewards: often one high-earning everyday card (like Cobalt) plus a travel Membership Rewards card or co-branded card for specific hotel or airline perks.
Which Amex card is easiest to get approved for?
No-fee and lower annual fee cards, such as the Green Card or SimplyCash Card, are generally more accessible than premium cards like Platinum or Aeroplan Reserve.
Approval depends on your full credit profile, not just the card’s annual fee.
Are Amex welcome bonuses once per lifetime in Canada?
Typically yes. American Express Canada generally limits welcome bonuses to once per card per person. Always review the offer terms before applying to confirm eligibility.
What types of Amex cards are there in Canada?
There are three different types of Amex cards in Canada you need to know:
- Membership Rewards cards are about flexibility. You earn Membership Rewards points and then choose how to redeem.
- Co-branded cards (Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy) are about focus. You earn points in that program directly, and the perks are aligned to that brand.
- Cashback cards are about simplicity. You earn a percentage back on your spending with no points strategy required.
Final Thoughts: Which Amex Card Should You Choose?
There is no single best American Express card in Canada for everyone. The best card depends on how you spend, what rewards you actually use, and whether the annual fee makes sense after the welcome bonus.
For most Canadians, the Cobalt Card is the best place to start. If you travel often, compare Platinum, Gold Rewards, Aeroplan Reserve, and Marriott Bonvoy based on the perks and points program you value most. If you want something simpler, Green and SimplyCash are easier low-maintenance options.
Before applying, compare the current welcome bonus to past offers and read the full card review so you know whether the card fits your spending, travel plans, and redemption goals.
Compare Full Amex Reviews and Current Offers:
Membership Rewards Cards
- Cobalt Card | Read Review | Apply Now
- Gold Rewards Card | Read Review | Apply Now
- Platinum Card | Read Review | Apply Now
- Green Card | Read Review | Apply Now
Aeroplan Cards
- Aeroplan Card | Read Review | Apply Now
- Aeroplan Reserve Card | Read Review | Apply Now
- Aeroplan Business Reserve Card | Read Review | Apply Now
Business Cards
- Business Gold Rewards Card | Read Review | Apply Now
- Business Platinum Card | Read Review | Apply Now
Marriott Bonvoy Cards
- Marriott Bonvoy Business Card | Read Review | Apply Now
- Marriott Bonvoy Card | Read Review | Apply Now
Cashback Cards
- SimplyCash Card | Read Review | Apply Now
- SimplyCash Preferred Card | Read Review | Apply Now